WEYMOUTH tennis starlet Sophia Hurrion insisted she could still hold her head up high despite falling just short of a dream outing at Wimbledon.

As the likes of British Number One Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams prepare for this month’s Wimbledon assault, Hurrion had the chance to book herself a spot at the world-famous venue as this weekend she competed in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon South West Regional Qualifier at East Glos Club in Cheltenham.

The 13-year-old Budmouth College pupil was playing for a spot at August’s National Finals of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club, looking to walk away as overall champion of the tournament.

But, despite falling short of a memorable outing at the famous SW19 courts this time around, Hurrion is adamant we haven’t seen the last of her after losing out to Charlotte Russell 6-2 6-0 in the opening round.

“She was the number one seed, I couldn’t do anything – she was really strong. She had been injured for a while but like me she is desperate to make it to Wimbledon,” she said.

“The experience was a huge positive to take. When I play girls like that in the future, I will be able to draw on that experience.

“I need to learn how to play against top level players, how to beat them and this tournament has helped me do that.

“It is my last year at this age group next year and I will definitely be back. It is my dream to play at Wimbledon.

“Just the thought leaves me smiling, I think if I made it then I would never stop.

“I really want to be a professional, I haven’t changed my mind about that since I was three. It’s all I have ever wanted to do.”

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge, the UK’s largest grass court tournament, forms part of HSBC’s investment in grassroots tennis; an area of the sport the Official

HSBC is the Official Banking Partner of The Championships and is committed to supporting grassroots tennis, helping to inspire the next generation of Wimbledon stars to take their tennis careers from the back garden to Centre Court through the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge. @HSBC_sport.